Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Generalleutnant (Major-general)

Unit:

Kommandeur, 34. Infanterie-Division, Heer

Awarded on:

October 11th, 1941

The following wartime excerpt describes why Behlendorff was awarded the Knight’s Cross…

“On the 22.06.1941 the 34. Division was positioned south of Brest-Litovsk as the right-wing division of the XII. Armee-Korps. The successful breakthrough attack by this unit is primarily due to the efforts of Generalleutnant Behlendorff. The deeds of Generalleutnant Behlendorff were truly decisive, as the Muchawiez bridge was captured in an undamaged state and later used as a crossing point by the XXIV. Panzerkorps on that same evening. Later deployed along the Zelwianka river during the battle of Bialystok/Minsk, he fought with an inverse frontline against the desperate Russian breakout attempts. It was once again the actions of the divisional commander that allowed for major crises to be overcome whilst tackling strong armoured attacks that saw large numbers of 52 ton tanks being encountered for the first time.”